Letters & Names!

Happy Monday to you all! I wanted to do a quick share about our focus for the week in our classroom. I included some freebies that you can just print and use in your own classroom or with your little ones at home :)

This week is all about letter and name identification! Some of my students came into this school year already able to write their names, while others are still working on identifying the letters that make up their names. With so many students at different stages when it comes to letter and name recognition, I wanted to incorporate as many varied activities as possible to address all skill levels. Plus, since letters and name mastery is such an important skill, why not make it as intriguing as possible!? Our classroom centers are full of letter/name identification and writing activities this week that are sure to capture the attention of all different levels of learners!

All of my students have a name writing template. I got these from my sister, who also is a Preschool Teacher! These are so great because they are super simple to make...just type in the child's name, print and laminate! From there, students can use the templates for tracing and rewriting during morning work, table time or center rotations. They can trace the letters in their name with their finger, with paint, dry erase marker, letter magnets, playdough, really any materials that will allow them to practice making the letters. Plus, this template coordinates with the Handwriting Without Tears Curriculum. Score! Once students master all uppercase letters, you can edit and reprint the template using upper and lower case letters together or even include last names. For more information on letter identification  for children, visit  http://www.hwtears.com/hwt. 

We also sing songs that help us get ready to write. You can preview and purchase the entire Get Set For School CD!

Letter blocks are really motivating to those little ones who want like to use their hands to actively engage. Using alphabet foam letters, I spelled out student names using connecting blocks and have my kiddos practice sorting their letter blocks into the right order, counting the number of letters in their name, making a tower or aligning the block letters to their name templates. 

Another fun activity we tested out is road letters. My little friends who are much more excited to get down on the ground instead of sitting at a table to work on letters LOVE these! Students can use these printable road letters to drive their cars over and they can be downloaded for FREE here!

This last example is a no fuss, but highly productive activity! What busy teacher or mama doesn't love that?? I printed out the alphabet and placed it on a cookie sheet. You can simply download a similar template here. Using magnet letters, my students can play a letter matching game.

For additional ideas to try at home, check out the following links:
Practice Letters
Practice Name Writing

Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy! <3